ROBERT Gordon’s College, one of Scotland’s leading independent schools, has brought together some of the country’s smartest minds to launch RGC Online, a ground-breaking education programme designed to support the future growth of the Scottish tech ecosystem and respond to “a major talent shortage” in the industry.
Championing a collaborative approach from within its global alumni network, Robert Gordon’s College has worked alongside tech industry experts and academic leaders from Robert Gordon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to develop the digital education platform, and will offer SQA accredited Higher Computing Science in addition to Higher Applications of Mathematics.
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RGC Online also offers additional tech-focused modules, designed to equip young people with the skills required for future roles in the sector.Certificates are awarded upon the completion of each module, which include: Artificial Intelligence,Data Science, Cybersecurity, Game Design, and Entrepreneurship. A new Quantum Computing module is also currently in development and will be launched this year.
RGC Online has been established in response to the Logan Review to assist young people across Scotland who don’t have access to study Higher Computing Science in their local school.
Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the review identified weaknesses in the tech ecosystem originating from a skills and talent shortage being stimulated in schools and universities.
Students signed up to RGC Online study any of the Higher courses and can add any additional modules they would like to explore.
Primarily a digital programme, with live lessons taught twice weekly, these online classes provide students with regular one-to-one support and personalised feedback from their teachers. Live teaching is held on the same days each week and scheduled for early evenings to ensure it does not clash with students’ studies at their usual school.
The RGC Online student experience has been designed so students can interact with their teacher, just as they would in a classroom, and online resources are updated throughout the week, with students completing the work through Google Classroom.
Scholarships are available and open to anyone applying for a place to study Higher Computing Science or Higher Applications of Mathematics to ensure that the service is accessible to all.
Robin Macpherson, Head of Robert Gordon’s College, said: “RGC Online was created to offer students across Scotland opportunities to learn National Qualification courses that they might not otherwise be able to study.
“This is to create pathways into a career in the ever-expanding world of technology. Our own diploma programme courses sit alongside the Higher course and add value by teaching students about everything from Artificial Intelligence to Quantum Computing to Game Design. It’s a brilliant chance to think about what you want to do in life, and how to get there.”
Alan Duncan, Gartner Research and a member of the RGC Online Strategic Advisory Board, said: “The possibilities for young people to participate in the tech sector continue to grow apace. There is currently a major talent shortage – some would say a crisis – for people with science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths skills (STEAM), and the tech industries offer lots of opportunities for creative thinkers with interest and knowledge of humanities areas such as language, arts and social sciences. These skills are also sorely needed if the tech sector is going to be more human.
“RGC Online is providing new opportunities for students to learn subjects via the diploma modules that help them discover areas of personal potential that are not accessible through traditional local schooling. That’s an injection of innovation and new thinking that the education system in Scotland sorely needs.”
To find out more about RGC Online, visit: www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/learning/rgconline
